Why I Can’t Wait for Fall

With all the 90 degree weather we have been enduring in the past month or so, I have been longing for a nice long Montana autumn. Autumn is my favorite season and I can’t wait for it to be here. Here are my favorite things about autumn in Montana.

Pumpkin everything

Everything is made from pumpkin, whether it’s pie, bread or a latte. It’s not just the food that is pumpkin spiced, almost any air freshener or candle will be scented with the quintessential smell of autumn.

Leaves changing color

Montana is filled with forests, and Missoula has some gorgeous parks, all of which are ripe with trees and shrubs. There’s nothing like golden yellow, orange and red leaves to signal the season change.

Crockpot dinners

It’s finally time to dust off the crockpot that’s been sitting on the pantry shelf all summer long. There’s nothing better than coming home after a long day of work, school and after-school activities to a dinner that’s already hot and ready. I love making hearty roasts, soups, stews, etc... I just throw a few ingredients in my crockpot in the morning and like magic, dinner is done when I get home at night.

Hunting season

There’s nothing like a fresh hunting season. All the anticipation of if and when you will fill your tags. How big will your game animal will be and how hard will you have to work for it? No two seasons are the same. Every year is different than the one before, and every hunt is different than the last.

Football and soccer season

I’m not a big fan of professional football, but I am a big fan of my kids and my kids play football and soccer. The beginning of the season is always the best. The weather is great. You can watch games all day in a T-shirt and jeans, but by the end of the season you’re wrapped in five blankets, wearing mittens, a wool hat and your Carhart overalls. That’s a typical sports season for any Montana parent.

Joy Larson is a mother of four boys, graduate of the University of Montana, animal lover and writer.